It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball

Religion

February 8, 2013

It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball

By Gwen Williams/Guest Columnist The Picayune Item Picayune Item Fri Feb 08, 2013, 08:00 AM CST

PICAYUNE — I’m not a sports person, but every year I look forward to sharing with the children involved in the Upward Basketball program. First through sixth graders come together to experience their first sports encounter playing basketball. Boys and girls play together with the hope of building character and values for life. Excitement floods the gym as parents, grandparents, and aunts gather with various electronic gadgets waiting to film their children. The program is also a means of reaching parents with children who are unchurched.

This is the main purpose of the Upward Sports program. According to Wikipedia, this organization began in 1955 by Caz McCaslin. The program seeks to stress Biblical values — such as leadership, teamwork, integrity and respect — as much as winning.

Prayer begins each game then the fun begins. The first and second graders play half court and the goals are lowered. They don’t play for points, everybody cheers just because these little ones are so cute. They have so much fun trying to listen to grandma or the coach.

Potential shows up when the third and fourth graders hit the floor. Some of these little ones can dribble that ball like a pro. They also play half court. Every recordable gadget is displayed throughout the audience. I’m sure many of their moves are featured on You-Tube

The audience is really serious when the fifth and sixth graders play. These young professionals play like NBA scouts are in the audience. They make the score board spin with points. There just might be a Pistol Pete or Michael Jordon in the gang.

Of course my favorite part is sharing inspirational stories during the half-time. They are my favorite audience and I’m thankful for the opportunity to share. Many participants never attend church so my messages may be the only encouragement they hear.

Watching the unity among the children and the special relationships they build makes Upward Basketball a great asset to the church and community.

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With all of the stories in the Bible, it is very easy to lose the focus of the very real places, which are catalogued there. Given the regular succession of “passion plays,” re-enactments and folklore telling’s, our vision of the reality of today’s Holy Land and the message of Christ may be a bit skewed.

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A family friendly movie will be projected onto the side of the building at 120 West Canal St in Picayune. Bring a lawn chair and the entire family and enjoy fun-jumps, pop-corn, food, and lots of entertainment at Movies On Canal.

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In the spring of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI stopped in Aquila, Italy, to pray at the shrine of St. Celestine V.
The pope left his pallium — a wool garment that resembles a yoke, symbolizing bonds between a shepherd and his flock — on this medieval pope’s tomb. Then, 15 months later, he visited a cathedral outside Rome to pray before the relics, once again, of St. Celestine V.

February 22, 2013
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VATICAN CITY (AP) — With a few words in Latin, Pope Benedict VXI did Monday what no pope has done in more than half a millennium, announcing his resignation and sending the already troubled Catholic Church scrambling to replace the leader of its 1 billion followers by Easter.
Not even his closest associates had advance word of the news, a bombshell that he dropped during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. With no clear favorites to succeed him, another surprise likely awaits when the cardinals elect Benedict’s successor next month.
“Without doubt this is a historic moment,” said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a protege and former theology student of Benedict’s who is considered a papal contender. “Right now, 1.2 billion Catholics the world over are holding their breath.”

February 12, 2013
It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball
By Gwen Williams/AKA MS Chocolate/Guest Columnist

I’m not a sports person, but every year I look forward to sharing with the children involved in the Upward Basketball program. First through sixth graders come together to experience their first sports encounter playing basketball. Boys and girls play together with the hope of building character and values for life. Excitement floods the gym as parents, grandparents, and aunts gather with various electronic gadgets waiting to film their children. The program is also a means of reaching parents with children who are unchurched.

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February 8, 2013
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February 1, 2013
Last call, ya’ll!
This is The final call for articles and photos for
this year’s Pearl River County Today “Progress” edition. all churches and religious organizations can email their articles and photos to…
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